perhaps it's not that they're next to die, but rather that they are next to be judged? Perhaps Eko just had the most sin on his shoulders, and had to face his actions first??? I'm just yapping, I have no clue.

May I remind y'all that Smokie the Monster actually left Eko after he refused to confess, but Eko chased after Smokie. Yes, Smokie did kill Eko, but Eko was chasing Smokie, so it may not have been Smokie's original intention to break Eko at that point.

Also, did you like that clicking noise that Smokie was making, like unto the other episodes, like when Walt appeared, etc.? (I think the Walt apparition had the clickies, anyway. At least one of the other "hallucinations" had it.)